Update 2024: Hotel Grande Bretagne, a luxury hotel in Athens, has once again earned a spot on the prestigious Gold List of Condé Nast Traveler among the best hotels and resorts for 2025. This marks another significant achievement for the hotel, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024.
In her description, Condé Nast Traveler editor Rachel Howard noted: “The GB (as locals call it) is almost as much of an Athenian landmark as the Parthenon itself. Overlooking Parliament Square and the Presidential Guard, its luxurious interiors embody the charm of a grand European hotel with gleaming marble floors, elegant floral arrangements, and gilded mirrors. While the hotel’s rooftop bar is a draw, the real hidden gem is its subterranean spa, where an exceptional massage and 111 Skin facial will leave you feeling rejuvenated.”
The Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens for families offers five-star service and world-class elegance. Kids will love the pools and the incredible views, while parents will appreciate the grand setting, fine dining, and high tea. The Grande Bretagne Hotel is one of the best hotels in Europe and ideal accommodation for relaxing after a hard day’s sightseeing in Athens.
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In 2024, the Hotel Grande Bretagne celebrates 150 years with a festive “Always Grand” program. Should you be visiting this year, check out the special program, combining haute aesthetics and luxury with authentic Greek hospitality.
The Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens
Are you looking for a family-friendly hotel in Athens that combines luxury, comfort, and history? If so, you should consider staying at the Grande Bretagne Hotel because the hotel has recently been voted as one of the best hotels in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
The Grande Bretagne Hotel is located on Syntagma Square, opposite the Parliament and near exclusive shopping areas, museums, and the business district.
The hotel offers 320 rooms and suites, all elegantly decorated and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Some rooms have balconies facing the Acropolis, and some suites enjoy additional benefits such as personalized Butler Service.
The Grande Bretagne Hotel has a variety of dining options to suit every taste and occasion. Families can savor fine Mediterranean cuisine and breathtaking views of the city at the GB Roof Garden Restaurant, enjoy afternoon tea, light snacks, or live piano music at the Winter Garden, relax by the outdoor pool with refreshing drinks and snacks at the GB Pool Bar.
Parents may enjoy a cocktail at the sophisticated Alexander’s Bar after a long day at the ancient monuments of Athens.
The hotel also features a spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool for guests who want to relax and rejuvenate. You can pamper yourself at the GB Spa, which offers a thermal suite, a herbal bath, a grotto, an ice fountain, a couples retreat, and a range of massages and beauty treatments. You can also stay in shape at the fitness center, which has modern equipment and personal trainers. The indoor pool is heated and has natural daylight.
Family Friendly Features
The Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens offers several family rooms and family suites. The hotel also provides cribs, high chairs, baby monitors, and other amenities for families with young children.
Things to see and do nearby
The Grande Bretagne Hotel is a great place for a weekend in Athens. It is close to many of the city’s highlights, such as Syntagma, the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the Panathenaic Stadium.
You can also explore the charming neighborhoods of Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki, and Psirri, where you can find traditional taverns, flea markets, street art, and more.
History of the Grande Bretagne Hotels in Athens
The Grande Bretagne Hotel is more than just a place to stay. It is a symbol of elegance and sophistication since 1874, and it is part of the history and culture of Athens. It has hosted many celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries over the years, such as Winston Churchill, Maria Callas, Elizabeth Taylor, and Barack Obama.
History-loving families will appreciate its past. The hotel was originally built in 1842 as a house for Antonis Dimitriou, a wealthy Greek businessman from the island of Lemnos, twelve years after Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. In 1874, it was bought by Efstathios Lampsas, who restored it and named it “Grande Bretagne”. During the Greco-Italian War and the Battle of Greece in 1940–41, the hotel housed the Greek General Headquarters.
During the Axis occupation, the hotel served as Nazi headquarters. When the Axis withdrew from Greece in 1944, British forces made it their headquarters. During the early stages of the Greek Civil War, the hotel housed Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou, the Council of Ministers, and the British military assistance force.
If you are looking for a centrally located hotel with impeccable service, child care facilities, and world-class luxury, The Grande Bretagne Hotel is a destination that will make your family trip unforgettable!
Click here for more information and to book your stay
More family hotels
- The Best Family Hotels in Athens, Greece
- 7 Hotels with Pools in Athens
- The 20 Best Family Hotels in Greece
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